Kimura Motor Co., Ltd. (木村技研工業) {RETIRED THREAD}

Kimura Motors was founded by Kesago Kimura as Hokkaido Motor Company in post-war Sapporo. A developing brand in a collapsed Japan, Kimura began its life building affordable cars that everyone could enjoy. The Type-1 was conceptualized in 1949 and was an immediate hit. With a spacious interior for not much money, it instantly started the company's reputation for small, fun, reliable cars. In 1954, Kimura introduced their second car; the K1200-C. With a small yet peppy 1.2L Inline-4, the K1200-C helped Kimura gain their popularity for sports cars. Two successors, the K1600-C and K1800-C, were released sequentially in 1960 and 1966, respectively, but were discontinued due to dwindling popularity.

Thanks to the growing popularity and international export of the Auburn and despite the relative failure of the K-C series and the international oil crisis, Kimura was able to release a new large saloon in 1975 called the Eminence. Sold only in Japan for its first and second generations, it became a status symbol for Kimura; a home-brewed luxury sedan with the capability to compete against European sports cars in performance and American luxury limos in comfort. The Eminence, with it’s sleek and modern styling, too became a relative hit; Japan’s prime minister soon was ferried in one of his own.


Arguably the biggest expansion and growth of the Kimura brand was during the 1980’s. The Auriga, Kimura’s first midsize sedan, was unveiled to the public in 1983 to critical acclaim. Praised for it’s sharp handling, aerodynamic style, and low price tag, it helped Kimura double their annual sales. In 1986, Kimura revealed the Avina, their second foray into the subcompact market after the Auburn grew in size. This allowed the company to begin their “Phase 2” expansion plan; with a focus on the North American market from the years 1989 to 1992, 6 all-new Kimura models were released (Hana, Devorak, Helruna, Cavatina, Arctos, and KT-U). In order to keep up with the rigorous build schedule, 4 new factories were built over the course of 10 years; 2 European plants, a US-based Tennessee factory, and another Japanese factory.

The Devorak, KT-U, and Arctos were all released in 1989, with the former 2 sharing an FR base platform (The Arctos shared a platform with the FF Auriga). The Devorak was the go-anywhere SUV, capable of hauling you and 5 of your children. The KT-U was a rugged pickup that could get up and go wherever, whenever. Unlike the other two’s more rugged nature, the Arctos was marketed as a minivan for the future; a versatile and highly flexible interior made it easy to pack wherever, whenever. Also introduced in 1989 was the official branch of Kimura’s racing division, or KR-R (Kimura Racing-Ralliart). While it had been in service since the mid 1970’s, it was officially purchased by Kimura in 1989 to produce sports machines.

Kimura unveiled the 1990 Helruna at the Tokyo Motor Show. It was shown to have taken spiritual influence from the now legendary K-C series and created as an attainable successor to the TKR-C of 1986. With Kimura’s first mass-production turbocharged inline-4 which was easy to modify, it gained traction as a staple in Japan’s tuner car culture. It also was the very first Kimura to wear a KR-R badge.

In 1991, Hana was released as a small all-terrain vehicle made to tackle any road. On the same platform a year later was the Cavatina, with a similar body but elongated and with rear sliding doors for a more MPV-esque purpose.


The 2000s was an era of great prosperity for Kimura. With sales in over 150 countries, a lineup of over 10 cars (and over 15 in Japan), it showed no signs of stopping. The year 2000 was a planned overhaul for the entire company; from 1999 to 2001, Auriga, Hana, Devorak, Helruna, Auburn, Eminence, and Cavatina were updated for the 21st century. Kimura’s first internationally exported Kei car was released, named K-UBRIK. The new Sirani MPV was created in 2003, with the Cavatina’s previously MPV-oriented style going in a more rugged, crossover-like direction. The Sirani fit the gap well, and became another popular Kimura model.


What holds for us in 2020 and beyond? Kimura continues innovate daily. Kimura introduced the Asura in 2012; an F1 inspired machine with a bespoke V10 and tenacious handling. In 2019, the very first all-electric mass production Kimura - the Lemaitre - arrived in dealerships, signaling a new era for Kimura’s future. Contemporary Kimura vehicles represent the pinnacle of dynamics, comfort, and innovation. Satisfaction is guaranteed with the purchase of any Kimura.


Current Lineup

K-UBRIK Kei Wagon (2007+)
K-IREI Kei Wagon (2015+)
K-ALEIDO Kei Van (2011+)
K-ANYON Kei SUV (2013+)
K-INETIK Kei Coupe (2016+)

Avina Subcompact Hatchback (1986+)
Auburn Compact Car (1964+)
Lemaitre Electric Compact Car (2019+)
Auriga Midsize Sedan (1983+)
Eminence Premium Sedan (1975+)
Protostar Mini MPV (2005+)
Sirani MPV (2004+)
Arctos Minivan (1989+)

X-Land Small Off-Roader (2010+)
Hana Subcompact Crossover (2013+)
Cavatina Compact Crossover (2001+)
Devorak Mid-size SUV (1987+)
KT-U Pickup Utility (1981+)

Helruna Sports Coupe (1990+)

Please remember that cars will always be available to test-drive at your request, but may need a few days to process.

Kimura Motors Museum
Wiki page (WIP)

12 Likes

cough

Sorry to ruin the fun.

[size=10]Nice logo though![/size]

Changed the name.

This is a very interesting concept. I have seen your other designs and I can’t wait to see how this goes! :smiley:

I love these looks. Nice

That’s a very nice car you have there!

Asura by Kimura. Redefining the limits for a street car.



Packing a 3 Liter Flatplane-Crank V8 engine, the Asura with help from Kimura’s F1 team has a redline of 10,500 RPM, higher than any other production car. The chassis and body panels are both made out of 100% Carbon Fiber which help keep weight down under 1300 kgs. 0-62 MPH is finished in a almost unbelievably scant 2.7 seconds and the top speed is nearly 215 MPH, but the Kimura Asura was not designed to be quick. As a matter of fact, the Asura was designed to corner as well as it could. To help with this, the Asurahas an also-F1 designed pushrod front and rear suspension as well as an electronic limited slip differential.



The Asura, whilst providing the feel and adrenaline rush of a racecar, does not lack the comfort found in other luxury vehicles. A high-quality interior is highly advanced, with a completely re-done infotainment system, heated and cooled seats and steering wheel, and an advanced lightweight sound deadening material that removes over 50 pounds of weight compared to a normal sound deadening material without compromising road noise. Of course, the Asura is a sculpted machine, with our signature Prismatic headlights among other design choices. The Asura, therefore, is not only a raw super car in it’s ultimate form, but also a car which is ready to face the challenge of daily life and is willing to enjoy a curvy backroad.


17 Likes

As always, @titleguy1 makes amazing photoshops :grinning:

Rear end of the Asura is delectable

Auriga by Kimura. Refining a midsize sedan to perfection.



The 7th generation Kimura Auriga is all-new for the 2018 model year. Available are 3 engines; two advanced 2.3 Liter inline-4’s, naturally aspirated and turbocharged, and a powerful 3.2 Liter V6 with the highest specific output for a naturally aspirated V6 in the class. A 1.4 Liter turbocharged inline-4 will soon be available for European and Asian markets. All trims have a 7-Speed Dual-Clutch transmission whilst the base trim has a 6-speed manual as standard. The body of the Auriga is almost 50% stiffer yet lighter than the previous model thanks to a high usage of high-strength steel and aluminium. Strut suspension is used up front while a 5-link suspension is standard in the rear, allowing for the Auriga to be highly capable on curvy back roads as well as around town. In general, suspension is tuned for maximum comfort, livability, and spirited driving.



In addition to an enthusiastic drive, the Auriga is completely redesigned inside and out. The steering wheel has multiple functions which are clearly labeled for ease of use as well as the infotainment system, which incorporates a 10-inch touch screen which can also be controlled using a directional pad on the center console and can be used with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. Aluminium accents are used around the interior to help the interior’s sophistication. 10-way power front seats allow you to sit in a position tailed to yourself. Dual-zone climate control can help tune the temperature of your Auriga to perfection and automatic windows are included in every Auriga sold. Advanced safety features such as automatic braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and KimuraGuard™ are all available. The exterior was refined around our current design language, with soft and hard lines melding together to create one cohesive design that is both stylish and sophisticated. The Auriga won’t disappoint when you decide to give it some spirited driving, but it is still a highly comfortable, safe, and capable family cruiser with a stylish interior and exterior.



Features, Pricing, and Specifications


Exterior Colors

Silk White Pearl, Amethyst Burgundy Mica, Cosmic Black, Champagne Gold Pearl, Winter Gunmetal Metallic, Burnt Sahara Metallic, Aquamarine Metallic, Sirius Blue Metallic, Solar Silver Metallic, and Rogue Red Metallic, respectively.

20 Likes

TRIGGERED

But anyway, I like the car :slight_smile: And it’s available in actual COLOURS, unlike many modern cars. Interior picture is a good idea.

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Damn. I mean I thought the Sachiuri sL200 was going to be my favorite car of the year, but another jaw dropping luxury compact? This thing is gorgeous. I adore those rear lights, definitley have a hint of the old Maserati Coupe about them. And it’s so smart too.

Engines also seem top notch, I’d love to see some economy and perofmance specs for those i4s. Did you take any inspiration from Jaguar’s Ingenium engines? Just that the use of “advanced” reminded me of it.

Also, can we expect any further variants of the Auriga? Coupes, wagons etc?


On a side note, that interior is exceptional. I saw some of the work in progress shots on discord but the final product is beyond belief. That’s an astounding achievement for realism in terms of photos on this forum.

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This is yet another one of those corkers you have given us over the past few months… In addition to other body styles, will we see any powertrain options besides the ones already mentioned? An AWD twin-turbo V6 Auriga sounds tempting…

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And the bar is risen!!! OMFG that is good

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Dat’s a heavy sedan.

Then again it is a fully loaded V6 machine lol.

You got base specs?

Here are the SXi specifications.

OOC
It’s honestly not that quick with a manual, but to be fair it’ll probably be rated at under 8 seconds “corrected” in magazine tests if you know what I mean.

7 Likes

Helruna by Kimura. Proving that having fun in a car doesn’t have to be expensive.



The new for 2015 5th generation Kimura Helruna improves on the previous model with more power and a shorter wheelbase, allowing for a more compact frame and a livelier drive. There are 3 trims and 2 engines. The 2 “standard” trims, SXt and LXt, both come standard with a 1.8 Liter turbocharged inline-4. The KRS (Kimura Racing Sector) trim is outfitted with Magnetorheological dampers and a more powerful turbocharged 2.3 Liter inline-4. A 6-speed manual is standard whilst a 7-speed DCT is optional. The structure of the Helruna is made completely out of Aluminium and allows the Helruna to weigh under 2,900 lbs (1315 kgs). Double Wishbone suspension is used at all 4 wheels, leading to a smooth ride and sharp reflexes. A front-engined rear-wheel drive layout permits the Helruna to have a sporty demeanor but a new for 2014 Active Grip Control System, or AGCS for short, keeps the Helruna in check during hard cornering. AGCS is a system that works in conjunction with the traction control, so they are turned on and off simultaneously.



The Helruna isn’t all go and no show, however. The interior is lined with high-quality materials and an advanced infotainment system which incorporates an 8-inch touch screen which can also be controlled using a directional pad on the center console and can be used with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. Keyless entry is standard, as well as automatic windows and a hands-free communication system. Advanced safety features such as automatic braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and KimuraGuard™ are all available. Going around the exterior, the Helruna is stark and purposeful whilst retaining the beautiful flowing lines of a classic sports car. A long hood, short deck, and low, wide stance help contribute to the Helruna’s style and presence. Although the Helruna is a comfortable cruiser for long highway journeys, it really shows off it’s skills on the road.



Features, Pricing, and Specifications


Exterior Colors

Silk White Pearl, Helios Yellow Pearl, Cosmic Black, Molten Orange Pearl, Winter Gunmetal Metallic, Electric Purple Metallic, Racing Green Metallic, Sapphire Blue Metallic, Solar Silver Metallic, and Crystal Red Metallic, respectively.

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Oooh… Where can I order one? KRS in Sapphire Blue Metallic with all options except the leather interior? :grin:

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Auburn by Kimura. A precise new breath of fresh air.



The 9th generation Kimura Auburn was unveiled in the 2012 Tokyo Motor Show for the 2013 model year and went into production in April of 2013. In the new Auburn are 3 engines; an efficient naturally aspirated 1.8 Liter Inline-4, a balanced turbocharged 1.6 Liter Inline-4, and a powerful 2.3 Liter turbocharged Inline-4. These 3 engines can be mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT. 4-wheel independent suspension is standard on all trims. The hood, trunk, and doors of the Auburn are composed of Aluminium to save weight, giving better fuel economy whilst driving (up to 41 MPG highway). 4-wheel fully independent suspension helps the Auburn tackle corners with ease and poise. Despite the classic Kimura DNA, the new Auburn is still an extremely comfortable highway cruiser, with a balanced suspension setup which provides the best of both worlds of sportiness and comfort without compromise. In conclusion, the Auburn is a true all-rounder, providing thrills on the road without taking away luxurious comfort.



The Auburn was redesigned from the ground up in 2013 inside and out. An all-new Clear Sense™ infotainment system was introduced with the Auburn. A 6.5-inch touch screen which is standard while an 8 inch screen is optional, compatible with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. A sleek and cohesive interior is one of the priorities with the Auburn; metal-look accents are used across the entire interior along with stylish patterns and materials selected specifically for the new Kimura. A whole slew of advanced safety features such as automatic braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and KimuraGuard™ were also available. Going onto the exterior, graceful and curvaceous lines adorn the body of the Auburn, which exudes a premium, upscale look. Kimura’s signature Prismatic headlights are optionally fully LED. Available in a sedan, coupe, or hatchback form, the Auburn is sure to please any of your needs. Overall, the new Auburn is upgraded from the previous generation in every way; it is faster, more comfortable, lighter, better to drive, more economical, and the best Auburn ever made.



Features, Pricing, and Specifications


Exterior Colors

Silk White Pearl, Cosmic Black, Champagne Gold Pearl, Steel Gray, Imperial Topaz Metallic, Bahama Blue Metallic, Solar Silver Metallic, and Rogue Red Metallic, respectively.

14 Likes